Stampless covers are letters that were posted before the time when the use
of postage stamps became mandatory for sending mail, on January 1, 1856.

In the stampless era, letters, either folded sheets of writing or letters
in envelopes, were taken to the post office where a town marking was applied.
This was done with a handstamp and inkpad or with a pen. We thus divide stampless
postmarks into handstamp or manuscript.

Manuscript postmarks usually come from smaller post offices that could not
afford a handstamp or did not have the volume to warrant one. They are, therefore,
more rare than handstamp postmarks.

Collections can be formed in many ways. Some collect specific states, cities,
geographic areas, content, rates, etc.

The standard reference work and catalog is the "American Stampless Cover
Catalog". There are three volumes, but for the general collector Vol.
1 is all that is needed. The catalog may be obtained from:

A good introduction would be our advertised offer of 5 stampless covers for
$20.00. These covers are from both large cities and small towns and will let
you see and feel for yourself the pleasure that comes from collecting stampless
covers.